Nanyang Kindergarten

Infobox Singapore School
name = Nanyang Kindergarten (NYK)
南洋幼小 (Nán Yáng Yòu Xiǎo)


motto = 勤慎端朴 (Diligence, Prudence, Respectability, Simplicity)
established = 1934
type =
session =
principal = Mrs. Lily Foo
city/town = Bukit Timah
school code =
enrollment =
colours =
homepage = [http://www.nanyangkindergarten.com/aboutus.html Welcome to Nanyang Kindergarten]

Nanyang Kindergarten is a kindergarten that is located at 51 Coronation Road in Bukit Timah District, at the old Nanyang Primary School campus.

History

It was founded in July 1934, by Madam Liu Yunxian, as part of the Nanyang family, but it is not affiliated with Nanyang Primary School.

The Nanyang Kindergarten in Singapore is believed to have been the first Chinese kindergarten in the whole of Malaysia when Singapore was still in the merger.

The Second World War disrupted classes for some time, but lessons continued again after the surrender of the Japanese.

Values and principles

At Nanyang Kindergarten, they believe that every child is unique, and has the potential to be the best that he/she can be. They believe in the development of the whole child and hence, their programme seeks to bring out the full potential of the students in every aspect.

They also strongly believe that early childhood is the time to ignite children's interest in learning and that children should enjoy attending school.

chool motto

The school motto is the same as the rest of the Nayang family, which is Diligence, Prudence, Respectability and Simplicity. They also believe in traditional Chinese principles, such as Respect for Elders, which they also instill in their pupils.

Pupils

The kindergarten caters to pre-nursey and nursery students as well as Kindergarten 1 and 2 students.

Class Size according to age group

Curriculum

Nanyang Kindergarten's programme brings out the full potential of the students in every aspect, because it is a school which believes in the development of the whole child. Combined of the traditional Chinese principles with Western approaches of hands-on learning experiences, the kindergarten's curriculum is based mainly on the Integrated Thematic Approach.

Games, activities and field trips to various interesting places are conducted to encourage the students to create interaction among their peers and learn about teamwork. This allows them to grow into individuals with their own strengths. Exposed to various activities in this conducive learning environment, the children studying at Nanyang Kindergarten can freely explore, experiment, create and learn.

Believing that allowing the students to go out of their classrooms to other places in Singapore will enable them to have their first hand learning experience about things around them in their natural context, field trips are incorporated into the school's themes to enhance children's learning.

"Holiday Camp" is one of the programmes that are held during the school holidays. The purpose of a camp during the holidays is to let the child experience independence in the absence of their parents by learning to take care of his/her own needs.

Pre-Nursery and Nursery Programmes

Nanyang Kindergarten believes that their pupils should have a strong foundation in Chinese before they enter kindergarten level, and hence Pre-nursery and Nursery classes are conducted entirely in Mandarin.

Also, to extend the children's learning through hands-on experience by sensory methods, the teachers bring in the "Learn through Play" method.

Activities such as music and movement will introduce children to rhythm and tempo, and help children to appreciate music more. Other activities include reciting short rhymes, recognising simple words and numbers, as well as learning simple strokes of Chinese words (笔画). They also conduct Outdoor Play and Sing-Along sessions.

Kindergarten 1 and 2

Believing that their students should be bilingual at a young age, curricula for the Kindergarten 1 and 2 students are conducted in both English and Mandarin.

Besides language literacy, the curriculum includes Computer Aided Education, Mathematics, Science Discovery, Music & Movement, Art & Craft and Dramatic play.

Computer Aided Education is introduced so as to enable the children to have a good head start in their learning journey. It encompasses every major area of technology while incorporating themes and traditional academic subjects that the children enjoy. Each curricular unit features project-based activities that are infused with interesting themes and academic content in core subject areas. This teaches the children to master computer skills while educating them the proper applications of computer technology. In the meanwhile, the children can also build up their confidence, independence, enthusiasm and creative thinking strategies that are needed for meeting new challenges in a fun-filled learning environment.

Mathematics is also introduced through hands-on approaches, such as games and activities which help reinforce concepts and stimulate their thinking. The Mathematics lessons emphasize the use of concrete and semi-concrete materials in the classroom. The teachers encourage the children to talk and write about Mathematics and they are stimulated to observe, discuss, explain and create mathematical communication. A learning centre is also set up to allow the children to explore mathematical concepts and internalize them.

Uniform

Pupils at Nanyang Kindergarten do not wear any school uniforms because of their belief that each child is unique in his/her individual way. However, the pupils still need to purchase the Nanyang Kindergarten polo T-shirt because they have to wear it when they go for school field trips.

Facilities

It consists of classrooms, a playground and two halls.

External links

* [http://www.nanyangkindergarten.com/home.html Nanyang Kindergarten Website]